Small Changes Can Yield Big Results

View from Royalton Hill courtesy of Ceil Petrucelli Designs

Life is all about change. Big changes, small changes. Some changes that are very evident, others so small that sometimes they are hardly noticed at all - yet make a big impact over the long run. Fall is a season of change - especially here in Vermont where the changing colors seem to be Mother Nature's way of giving us that one last blast of warm color before blanketing us in snowy whites and cooler shades of blues and greys.

I recently read an article that talked about "the power of one." How one person can sometimes make a difference in the community and even the world; how one idea could take hold and change our perception; how one small invention could change technology; how one change in your daily habits could have a major impact on your life; how one small change can have a ripple effect that could lead to bigger transformations.

That article got me to thinking about making small changes that could yield bigger results, especially when it comes to decorating, organizing, and saving money, and at the same time be able to give something back and be conscious of our impact on our community as well as the Earth.

I'm an interior designer and decorator, and my business also includes home organizing services, color consultations, shopping services, and more. I'm always involved in some sort of "change" in the lives of my clients - sometimes major changes (building a new home, renovating an existing home, adding a new addition); sometimes smaller changes (bathroom renovations, kitchen renovations, redecorating or redesigning a bedroom or a living room); and sometimes just helping someone to get started on the whole process - to be the "go to" person if they need a hand with color selections, furniture placement, figuring out storage options, finding specific types of materials or products that will work best for their lifestyle. Sometimes the choices available are overwhelming to some clients and that's where I can help them to narrow things down, focus, and ultimately make decisions - hopefully ones that they will be happy with when all is said and done.

So, here are a few "small & relatively inexpensive" things you can do around your home which can ultimately lead to some results that could have a much bigger impact.

• Clear clutter. Seriously - pare down, simplify, get rid of stuff that no longer has a useful value to you or your family. By clearing clutter you'll open up your space and your life to new opportunities. Use the "one in, one out" rule. For every new thing you bring in, you have to get rid of something "old."

• Take it one step at a time. Even if you clean out your "junk drawer" (everyone has one, right?) or a dresser drawer to start. Set a timer. Give yourself a limit - say 15 minutes to start. See how much you can accomplish in a specific amount of time.

• Then reward yourself after - a cup of tea, a 15-minute walk (with your dogs if you have them); pick some fresh flowers from your garden and put them in that pretty vase you just discovered buried in the back of a cabinet. The point is - take it one step at a time and don't try to accomplish too much at one time. Then reward yourself with something that will make you feel happy and positive (and not feel guilty later).

Sometimes, when you're clearing stuff out, you find things that can be useful to others.

• I have a "donation box" or two that I keep for just that type of thing. Books, CD's, DVD's, and possibly some magazines can be donated to the library, or possibly a nursing home, a senior center, etc. Clothing and household items in good condition can be donated to Salvation Army or Goodwill. Habitat for Humanity will often accept donations of various household goods. Old towels, sheets, blankets, etc. can be donated to the local animal shelter. This is a rewarding experience - giving stuff away that you no longer need but that could make a huge difference to someone who does.

The economic climate is a little shaky right now, and many of us might want to try to sell some of those items instead of donating them.

• There are lots of places to sell your unwanted items and make a little extra money. You can try local consignment and second hand stores, used book stores, Ebay, Craigs List, have a tag or garage sale, place ads in the classifieds, etc. Some people are having home parties -- a group of friends get together, bring their unwanted items to the party, and things get traded. Or - to add a nice twist - various items are bid on and some of the proceeds go to a designated non-profit. A great way to get together, have some fun, and do some good for others, too.

This is my first installment on the topic of "Small Changes Can Yield Big Results." Stay tuned for the next installment!

In the meantime, check out my Special Promotion for November and December which will benefit some non-profits that are near and dear to my heart!